Having a baby is a life changing event. Not only are you adding a person into your family, but that mini-you needs things like diapers, food, and furniture - which all add up very quickly! But you already knew that! So, let’s talk about the hidden costs of birth and newborns that you DIDN’T already think to budget for. Read on for five things that are essential to a positive birth and motherhood experience that may cause some unexpected sticker shock if you’re not mentally prepared.

5 Hidden Costs of Having a Baby

1.  Your postpartum recovery kit. No matter whether you have a vaginal birth or a c-section, as soon as you return home you’re going to need some extra supplies to get comfortable and start on a good road to recovery. You’ll need pads or Depends adult diapers - enough for several weeks - for your postpartum blood flow. You’ll need over-the-counter medication like Tylenol or Advil to help with scar pain or postpartum uterine contractions. You’ll need lanolin or tucks wipes or tea tree oil or other creams and potions to soothe all your sore, swollen, injured tissue. Although this list doesn’t look like a serious financial hit, it’s probably something you hadn’t thought of!

2. Feeding your baby. We all know that breastfeeding, beyond being recommended by the medical and scientific community, is a great choice because it’s FREE!…right?? Welllllll…not exactly. Is opening your hospital gown and holding baby to your breast free? You bet. But once you leave your postpartum room…it does usually get a little more complicated…and expensive…than that.

For successful and comfortable breastfeeding at home you may need a nursing pillow. You may need breastfeeding accessories such as nipple shields to combat flat nipples, or a breast pump and herbal supplements to stimulate low supply. These things may be recommended by a private lactation consultant, who also costs money. Even if you don’t experience any breastfeeding challenges (and, let’s be real, EVERYONE faces some kind of feeding challenge!), you will still find yourself “needing” a nursing cover for taking baby out in public, nursing clothes, or at the very least a nursing bra for easy access without completely undressing!

Conversely, if you feed your baby using formula, it’s obvious that you will need to buy formula and multiple bottles. You will probably want to purchase a bottle sterilizer, a bottle warmer, and a cleaning kit. You may also go through a number of brands or styles of bottles until you discover which ones you and your baby both prefer.

And, most significant of all, if you happen to encounter breastfeeding challenges but are still committed to trying…you’re going to experience costs from BOTH of those lists.

3. Your long-term physical and mental recovery. Our healthcare system should do a better job of financially supporting your physical and mental postpartum well being. Yes, there are some programs available, but they don’t stretch nearly as far as they need to. That said, your personal recovery is something that is important to you, and you should make a conscious effort to budget for and invest in your future health and comfort.

Anyone who has experienced pregnancy should visit a pelvic floor physiotherapist to evaluate birth-related scarring, abdominal separation, urinary or fecal incontinence, or sexual health problems. But an adequate course of treatment may cost from $150-$1,500 and probably won’t be fully covered by even your private health insurance benefits.

Physical therapy or massage therapy to recover from birth- or breastfeeding-related injuries such as joint instability, postural changes, or repetitive strain may require long-term care which probably also won’t be fully covered by your health benefits.

Counselling provided by a psychologist or social worker may be necessary to work through postpartum depression, anxiety, or birth-related trauma, and THOSE costs may ALSO go beyond your insurance coverage.

AND, going to these appointments isn’t really possible, or at least not productive, with an infant in tow, so you will need to arrange and potentially pay for childcare that enables you to give full attention to your own recovery. …Now, tell me again how important it is that new moms “take care of themselves”??

4. Your utility bills. You may not have recognized, but suddenly you will be bathing an extra person (a lot!), doing extra loads of laundry (a lot!!), and creating extra bags of garbage (a lot!!!). You can certainly expect to notice an increase in your monthly water bill, as well as your garbage pickup fees, and even your electrical, gas, and media entertainment bills.

5. A better birth and baby experience. Your best birth experience can be achieved with the help of a professional doula. Evidence shows that doula-supported births are less likely to use pain medication, less likely to require a Cesarean birth, and more likely to rate their childbirth experience positively. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists indicates that “one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of a doula.” Although this kind of pregnancy and labor support is invaluable, it does carry a cost, which you should add to your ultimate baby budget. A great way to afford the doula of your choice is to add her services to your baby shower registry/gift list and ask friends and family to contribute.

Now that you know the hidden costs of a newborn, go ahead and start saving! In “other ways your doula makes life magical and easy,” you can book online RIGHT NOW for a free, no obligation meet + greet! It takes just two minutes to confirm our coffee date, leaving you the rest of the afternoon to count your pennies. ;)